Archive By Section - News
Making the grade: Students take different paths in earning academic distinction
The three Barton Community College students named to this year's Phi Theta Kappa All-Kansas Academic Team will forever be linked together for earning their distinguished Phi Theta Kappa awards, but each has taken a different path to achieve success. The paragraphs below tell their stories. Morgan Cooper doesn't know what it's like to earn a "B" grade. She's aced every class since kindergarten. She's also a dynamo as a ...
Three Barton students selected for All-Kansas Academic Team
Three Barton Community College students will join other Kansas community college scholars on Feb. 17 in Topeka to be honored for their scholastic achievement. Barton sophomores Matthew Koch, Great Bend; Morgan Cooper, Wichita; and Angela Johnson, Junction City, are among 49 community college students named to the 2011 All-Kansas Academic Team, sponsored by the international headquarters of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, the Kansas Association of ...
Seed money for senior projects
By a split decision, Barton County Commission took action Monday to help an agency that touches the lives of most area seniors.
Landfill has ground-moving year in 2010
This past year was a big one for the Barton County Landfill, as a variety of programs continued to grow, according to Solid Waste Manager Mark Witt. Witt notes that the landfill has been able to operate on its revenues, instead of on tax dollars, and 2010 was no exception. He noted that the estimated total for annual revenue, generated by disposal fees, was over a million dollars. In fact, he noted in a recent ...
HOI to add 22 units in 2011
A local program that has already proved its success in developing housing in Great Bend has received the support of city officials in an effort to locate another 22 units in the coming months.
Longoria attorneys seek to strike death penalty
Attorneys for Adam Joseph Longoria have filed a motion seeking to have the Kansas death penalty declared unconstitutional. Longoria, 36, is awaiting trial on a capital murder charge for allegedly killing 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt of Great Bend last year. The motion filed earlier this month in Barton County District Court acknowledges that the constitutionality of the Kansas death penalty has already been upheld by the Kansas Supreme ...
ROLLING OUT THE DOUGH
Members of Boy Scout Troop and Pack 184 were up to their elbows in dough Saturday, making noodles for the upcoming fundraising dinner. Twelve-year-old Tristan Mitchell, a Scout First Class, fed pieces of rolled out dough into a cutter, as his younger sister Tori caught the emerging strips. Several Scouts were performing similar tasks at other tables, while older ...
County to show Hayden its thanks
County officials began discussion of changes that are being made in state government during this week's Barton County Commission meeting, and that discussion will continue next week when a letter of appreciation to Mike Hayden is considered.
Arts Commission state case against proposed cuts
Members of the Kansas Arts Commission say Gov. Sam Brownback's proposal to eliminate the agency will hurt the state's economy and cost people jobs. Brownback has promised to eliminate eight state agencies in all. He says eliminating the KAC would save the state $574,000 in the next fiscal year. He proposes giving the commission $200,000 in the next fiscal year as it transitions to a private, nonprofit corporation. Arts commission ...
Joiner named new head cheerleading coach at Barton
The Board of Trustees at Barton Community College on Thursday approved hiring Stephanie Joiner as the new head cheerleading coach, quickly replacing Debbie Warren. Trustee Don Learned praised the choice, commenting, "Her background's fantastic." Learned noted there have been several letters to the editor of the Great Bend Tribune protesting the decision to fire long-time coach Warren last month. "Some have said the program is dead in ...
County adopts hazard training programs
In the continuing effort to be prepared for any emergency that may come along, county officials have approved resolutions that address various aspects of hazard preparation this week.
Wetlands programs will grow in 2011
Though it's not even two years old, the Kansas Wetlands Education Center - located at Cheyenne Bottoms - had contact with more than 23,500 visitors last year. And it's got plenty of plans to grow more this year, the Great Bend City Council was told this week.
Heatland Cancer Center closed today
The Heartland Cancer Center is closed today due to the weather. It should reopen Friday.
BLACK ICE: Weather packs a punch
It didn't always look slick, but for anyone who tried to move around Wednesday there was no mistaking the treacherous winter conditions that hit the Golden Belt. Freezing drizzle and temperatures in the low 20s persisted throughout the day, causing vehicles to slide around corners and into ditches. One Great Bend man who was directing a semi-trailer in the alley behind Office Products Inc. in downtown Great Bend lost his footing ...
Tools, training help EEC correct behavior disorders
Cathy Estes knew that if she and her staff had specialized training and equipment they could help more children who display behavioral problems. The only question was how to gain access to that training and equipment. The answer came in the form of two grants from the Golden Belt Community Foundation to the Early Education Center and Incredible Years Preschool. Estes is coordinator at both entities, which are owned and operated ...
Articles by Section - News
Perfect attendance pays off
Perfect attendance is a rare accomplishment for most students. It takes planning and preparation, with illnesses and bad weather to contend with from time to time, to make it in to school every day on time. But for those who achieve it, it's nice to be recognized for the effort. Dale Shaner wanted to do that for USD 428 students. He had an idea, and after sharing it with his wife, Karen, and some friends, the group put the idea into action.
BCSO participating in 'Click It or Ticket'
Barton County Sheriff's officers are emphasizing seat belt laws by participating in the Click It or Ticket program. For the week prior to Memorial Day, and continuing until June 2, drivers can expect to see more BCSO deputies on the highways, aggressively enforcing "Kansas Occupant Restraint" laws and other traffic statutes. Click It or Ticket is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sheriff Brian Bellendir said his ...
Two Barton coaching contracts 'pending'
Nine head coaching contracts were renewed Wednesday when the Barton Community College Board of Trustees met, but the contracts of two head coaches are "pending final review." The board discussed personnel matters behind closed doors for nearly an hour before voting on head coach contracts, administrative contracts and contracts for managerial staff. Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman said there were no changes in head coaches, but the board did not approve a contract for a ...
Bridge work to cause traffic delays
Orange cones and construction crews are already in place on the U.S. 281 bridge just north of the Great Bend city limits as the Kansas Department of Transportation begins to replace the span, a project that could take until next spring.
Two flee; child left in truck
A minor child was left in a truck with a loaded gun Monday night as two suspects fled from Barton County deputies.
Tornado-safe room building starts
Workers began pouring the foundation of the new Great Bend Middle School tornado safe room Tuesday morning, less than a day after the devastating F4 tornado that struck Moore, Okla., tore the roofs off two elementary schools, injuring many and killing nine confirmed at the time of this writing.
Bridge work completed
Work on the bridge north of the Club at StoneRidge has been completed and the road is open, according to the Barton County Engineers Office.
Claflin set to open Community/Fitness Center
CLAFLIN - Numerous volunteers have put their hands together and established a new Community/Fitness Center for the Claflin area. The project involved refurbishing the old Claflin Elementary School for the new purpose.
City Council: Dog laws need more teeth
Great Bend residents George and Zola Weber said they love living in this community. But now they live in fear of their neighbors' pit bulls and suggested to the City Council Monday night it ban such vicious dogs from inside the city limits.
Higher gas prices not likely to drop by weekend
Gasoline prices have risen dramatically in the past two weeks throughout much of the Midwest. While the price increases may ease off by June, but don't expect relief at the pump this Memorial Weekend, industry experts say. The American Automobile Association's online daily fuel gauge report and GasBuddy.com both showed the average price for a gallon of regular gas Monday in Kansas was $3.92. Just one week ago, the average price was $3.64, and it ...
These services are always needed
The last week in April may have been National Crime Victims Rights Week, but the needs of those impacted by crime continue even without any special recognition, Camila Komarek told the Barton County Commission Monday morning.
Although pricey, road sealing vital
When Dale Phillips first started working for Barton County, the oil used to seal the county's 380-plus miles of paved roads cost 15 cents per gallon. This year, it costs $2.50.
GBHS 2013 grads strive to “have a life worth living”
Great Bend High School principal Tim Friess welcomed family and friends to the graduation ceremony at Panther Stadium Sunday, where he announced the 206 graduates of the Class of 2013. The sun broke through clouds briefly late afternoon, making it possible for the ceremony to be held outside, despite the threat of impending thunderstorms.
First Steps: Aging out of foster care
This is part one of a three part series focusing on youth aging out of foster care.
